Mario's book on Wie is a nice gift for girl golfers

Is Michelle Wie the greatest thing since wooden tees, or is she a poor exploited teen who will never reach her potential? No matter which you choose, even if you choose somewhere in the middle, you’ll get an argument from someone.

There is no arguing, however, that her story is inspirational – and maybe even cautionary – for young girls who want to take up the grand old game.

My niece finished her first year on the JV golf team in her high school last year, and hits the ball very well. But there’s still plenty she needs to learn about the game, especially the part about not getting frustrated by falling short of perfection again and again.

Since you're so sure that Bubbles will win a slew of titles, perhaps you could tell us skeptics when and where she will win her first one. On another thread, you danced around that question. Will she win an LPGA tournament in 2007? Or will she stay on the schneid?

Come on, Stanley! Quit straddling that fence and give us a definitive opinion.

So Alex and Judge what are your bold predictions for Michelle Wie in 2007?

She finished the 84 and Omega just as I predicted. Once the 84 went wet is was really over for her and the Omega with uphill par fours and fives were well out of reach (Sergio called this one). When it went wet at the Casio Michelle just didn't have the carry distance to give her a real shot at the green. If a PGA setup course isn't dry she doesn't have a prayer.

No matter what you think Alex, the problem Michelle is having with her swing is minor in nature and a common issue for better players.

In an effort to strike the ball harder to gain distance, their hands get moving faster than the body causing the club to turn over hooking the ball. Just a simple case of over reaching when behind. David will have this fixed in no time at all.

I recall Tiger having the same issue when he changed his swing a few years back. It wasn't terminal.

Without seeing which events Michelle will enter next season, I won't make any bold predictions. If she were to enter both the SBS and Fields she would have a great chance to score a W. Home field advantage means something even in golf.

I predict that Bubbles will play fairly well in a few LPGA events, not so well in a few others, and poorly in a few more.(Similar to what she did this year.) She will make no cuts on the PGA tour.

Also, I predict that she will continue to mouth those boring platitudes, like "My game is getting real close," and "I'm really learning a lot out there," usually following a drubbing in a men's event

And finally, I predict that Bubbles' diehard fans such as yourself will continue their endless string of excuses for Bubbles' so-so play such as "she's only seventeen, what do you expect?", "she is distracted by her schoolwork, after all she is going to Stanford in the fall," and "she was really bothered by (take your pick) the rain, the wind, the cold, the heat, uphill par four's and par five's, downhill par four's and par five's, bent greens, Bermuda greens, and the color of the guy's shirt in the fifth row."

Also, I predict that Ghet Rheel will re-assess his prediction for Bubbles' boom out date with destiny to 2015. She'll need a few more years to reach full flower.

***And finally, I predict that Bubbles' diehard fans such as yourself will continue their endless string of excuses for Bubbles' so-so play such as "she's only seventeen, what do you expect?", "she is distracted by her schoolwork, after all she is going to Stanford in the fall," and "she was really bothered by (take your pick) the rain, the wind, the cold, the heat, uphill par four's and par five's, downhill par four's and par five's, bent greens, Bermuda greens, and the color of the guy's shirt in the fifth row."***

I believe you forgot a couple more predictions Alex:

That Michelle will continue to be one of your greatest sources of entertainment and she will not attend college.

I hope Michelle doesn't mess things up for you Alex and win something or make a men's cut.

Far from messing things up, in the unlikely event that Bubbles wins one on the LPGA tour(even her most ardent admirers couldn't believe she has a chance for a win on any other tour), the entertainment value of these blogs will increase at least five-fold.

Just think, One-Putt, you and the other Wie Warriors even now continue to heap praise on Bubbles, this despite the fact that she has scored about 70 shots over par in her last six tournaments.

If she could actually win one, why, the insanity would be worth the price of admission anytime.

Bubbles may attend college although the motivation certainly won't be there. After all, if she and BJ can rake in millions under false pretenses, four years of college suddenly doesn't seem very attractive. And Stanford is out of the question. They don't have sponsors' exemption at that university.

Against the women, Michelle Wie lowered her stroke average from 70.87 in 2005 to 70.77 in 2006, and her average place of finish in LPGA events improved from 8.8 to 8.0. Even more dramatic, in the first six of her eight LPGA tournaments in 2006, Wie had a stroke average of 69.68 and an average finishing position of 3.5. Not bad for someone who didn't turn 17 until October.

Least Improved:

Against the men, Wie increased her stroke average from 73.0 in six rounds in 2005 to 75.20 in 15 rounds in 2006. Even more dramatic, in her final seven rounds of 2006 against the men, Wie had a stroke average of 79.0 and finished ahead of only one player -- a Japanese amateur. Isn't it time to table playing against the men for a few years?***

Bubbles may very well finish her four years, and I'll tell you why I say this.

I know human nature very well and I'm fairly confident that I know Bubbles. Bubbles doesn't like pressure and she avoids it like the plague whenever possible. And this is where school enters the equation. As long as she is in attendance, she won't be expected to fulfill her golfing potential because she will be "just a part-time player." Once out of school, however, there'll be no excuses.

Additionally, John D's metaphor aside, you don't have to make any true cuts in college. Just apply yourself, study, and you'll certainly make the grade. Success doesn't hinge on bettering most of the other students.

I think Bubbles is very comfortable casting her golf as a mere avocation, nothing of such import that she would trouble her little head over it. Sure, she may fall short at times, but it should still be viewed as victory because she has her lofty mind on higher, more ethereal pursuits.

Preparing yourself to get accepted at Stanford is far greater pressure than any golf match Judge.

Alex you must admit the bar is set very high for early admission to a college rated third academically in the nation.

The problem with Michelle's fans and her detractors is they think they have her all figured out. I've been telling you all along that golf is just a "game" to Michelle.

Nike and Sony did not hire Michelle as a fulltime Professional Golfer, (her contacts obviously were not structured in that fashion). They hired Michelle Wie as the girl working to attain her goals whatever they may be.

Today you should have discovered that just maybe, golf is not the most important thing in Michelle Wie's life. So kick back and enjoy watching her accomplish her goals one at a time.

Her game has been foundering for quite a while, but you birds have never lost faith in Bubbles. Sure, she has problems with her swing, but "David" (when did you get on a first name basis with Leadbetter?) will cure them in no time.

Now, she gets accepted to the Fall 2007 freshman class at Stanford, along with about 6,000 others, and that accomplishment is BETTER than winning the US Women's Open.

I'm relieved that she may have found her niche in the greater scheme of things, but isn't this the same young girl who only recently had her sights set on qualifying for the Masters'?

Bit I'm sure that you Wie-wee's would go gaga if Bubbles found the ultimate pair if earrings in her travels.

The chosen 750 were selected from a pool of 4,644 applicants. Only a small number of Early Action applicants who were not accepted now will be considered again in the university's main applicant pool. Stanford's deadline for the main admission pool is Dec. 15.

"Selecting among the best and brightest in the nation is a daunting task. While most of those expressing an early interest in Stanford were not offered admission, we know that, ultimately, they will meet with great success at many of the outstanding colleges and universities in the U.S. and around the world,'' Shaw said.

Approximately 70 percent of Stanford's Class of 2011 will come from its main applicant pool. Stanford will notify those applicants in April about whether or not they have been accepted.

Alex you act like she was given a sports ride into Stanford. No Alex she earned her way into Stanford along with three other Punahou seniors.

Michelle has been telling everyone since she was ten years old that it was her dream she would attend Stanford. A dream she has turned into a reality by working hard.

Michelle will make Stanford very proud of their decision. I wonder if one of her letters of recommendation came from Dr. Rice?

But since this blog is supposedly about golf, what does any of it have to do with that sport?

Another thing I'll say for you Wie-wee's, you're easily pleased.

Bubbles' golf game is in the tank and has been for months. The glowing predictions by you guys that she will set the golfing world on fire are further away from actuality than ever. But are you boys even a little bit discouraged? Absolutely not! She hasn't finished highschool and she won't start college for nine months, but the mere fact that she has gained acceptance is cause for unbridled jubilation among her brown-nosing admirers.

Like Rodney Dangerfield in "Back to School," Bubbles is going to college! Yippee!

Now you can see why we Bubbles skeptics can't wait for her to win a tournament. The Wie-wee insanity on these blogs will be one for the ages if and when Bubbles gets off the schneid.

'Crozz breed' is none other than Mr. Booger himself; Just look him up...

One-putt,

Why is Wie backing the Korean contingent on their Olympic bid? Isn't she an American? This is a total disgrace. No chance for them to be awarded the Winter Olympics, for Dear Leader will make such a ruckus with his bombs that he will dissuade the gut-less and corrupted Olympics comittee...

Maybe America should depot the Wies back to Korea since they love it so much over there. See if she will still getting paid $20M per annum by her sponsor....

I agree. However, the American mind has been so imbued with the idea of "hyphenation" that few think of themselves as simply being American anymore. But I'll hark back to what Roosevelt (the good one) said, "Anyone who says he is an American but something else also isn't an American at all."

'Crozz breed' is none other than Mr. Booger himself; Just look him up...

One-putt,

Why is Wie backing the Korean contingent on their Olympic bid? Isn't she an American? This is a total disgrace. No chance for them to be awarded the Winter Olympics, for Dear Leader will make such a ruckus with his bombs that he will dissuade the gut-less and corrupted Olympics comittee...

Maybe America should depot the Wies back to Korea since they love it so much over there. See if she will still getting paid $20M per annum by her sponsor....

What a disgrace.....***

Does the USA have a dog in the hunt Trevor for the 2012 winter games? No uninformed one and ask yourself what have the Soviets or Austrians ever done for us?

The Koreans have shed blood with us in every conflict during the past 60 years. Koreans have boots on the ground with us right now in Afghanastan and Iraq.

You can rest assured Michelle hit speed dial on her cell and consulted with Doctor Rice before accepting the position. Good Americans stand by their friends and in-turn we distance ourselves from our common enemies.

Do you really think the Russians and Austrians are our friends? Maybe only you and George Bush would believe such a thing. I say Screw Them!

Again, it didn't occur to me that Bubbles poor play was the result of anxiety over her college application. Her publicity agents never revealed that problem.

Those buggers over at the Stanford admissions office probably cost her the Weeyabix title and a couple of high finishes at the 84 Lumber and the Omega, no? And she may have even won the Casio, no?

Well, those unfortunate incidents are all behind her. She's on her way to a PhD, David has corrected the minor flaws in her swing, she's relaxed and refreshed, and ready for a top five finish at the Sony, no?

Again, it didn't occur to me that Bubbles poor play was the result of anxiety over her college application. Her publicity agents never revealed that problem.

Those buggers over at the Stanford admissions office probably cost her the Weeyabix title and a couple of high finishes at the 84 Lumber and the Omega, no? And she may have even won the Casio, no?

Well, those unfortunate incidents are all behind her. She's on her way to a PhD, David has corrected the minor flaws in her swing, she's relaxed and refreshed, and ready for a top five finish at the Sony, no?***

TravelGolf.com’s Kiel Christianson comments on golf technology, from balls and clubs to apparel and shoes, instruction and fitness He also blogs about the golf lifestyle, including food, wine, and golf courses and resorts around the world.